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Illinois' Ashley Spencer and Ohio State's Christina Manning have been named semifinalists for The Bowerman, presented annually to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track & field athletes in the nation.

Spencer becomes the first woman in The Bowerman history to be named a semifinalist in her freshman year. The Illini newcomer claimed first-place honors in the 400 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and swept the 200- and 400-meters at both the Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Manning, the Suzy Favor Female Athlete of the Year, earned NCAA titles in the 60 hurdles indoors and 100 hurdles outdoors events. The Waldorf, Md., native also earned the Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year awards, taking home conference titles in the 60 dash and 60 hurdles at the indoor championships, and the 100 dash and 100 hurdles at the outdoor championships.